While on a different scale, I was at the Smoky Mountains last week and was amazed at the sheer number of people hiking the trails totally, mind-blowingly unprepared. One was a 5 mile round trip, 85 degrees with high humidity and not insignificant climbs. People out with no water bottles, in flip flops and carrying infants.
We had boots, daypack’s, food, rain gear, extra water and a water filter to get more.
I do a LOT of hiking in the Southern California hills around my home - it is usually hot here and many of the trails are steep. Temps are often over 85 degrees (you either get used to it or you don’t hike).
I see hikers going straight up the trails wearing several sweatshirts with hoodies pulled up, gloves, two-ton hiking books, long sweatpants, even full rubber suits zipped up tight - huffing and puffing, some I swear look like they’re going to have heart attacks.
They don’t dress properly, don’t have the right shoes (California hill trails are very very slippery), no water, red as beets.
I remember a few years ago Martin Lawrence almost died jogging in 100+ degree heat while wearing a rubber suit. He was found on the ground, way overheated and near death - this happened near my home.
Some people never learn- or think they’re going to “sweat off the weight.”